Portable shower



May 8, 1934. c. HARDY ET AL PORTABLE SHOWER Filed Aug. 23, 1952' INVENTORS CHARLES HARDY LOU'S BADY ATTORNEYS Patented May 8, l fi l v 5 the PORTABLE SHOWER Qharles Hardy and Louis Body, New York, N. Y.

Application August 23, 1932, Serial No. 639,028

Claims. (Cl. i15'7) This invention relates to portable showers. of the present invention is to cushion these sup- Portable showers consisting simply of a small port members so that no discomfort will be spray head arranged with a flexible tube have caused by contact of the same with the body been known for many years but have proved even though using the relatively stiii resilient 5 .isadvantageous because the hands of the bather wire construction heretofore described; and for are occupied in holding th shower, and also betr is purpose we find it both inexpensive and cause the spray may be and frequently is di highly satiaactory to simply slide over each rected so that it falls outside of the bath tub or of the legs of the U-shaped supports a piece of other drainage basin, as well as numerous other soft rubber tubing, thereby greatly increasing 1o faults which need hardly be enumerated here. the effective diameter of the supprots and at the Another form of shower which has been devised same time giving the same a soft cushioned surto overcome these diiiiculties comprises a shower face which bears against the body with a pleasring which may be supported from the shoulders ant contact, in contrast with the hard and chilly of the user, thus permitting a shower of water feeling induced by the naked metal. At the L3 to fall down verti ally over the body. In pretime, the ends of the rubber sheathing may 79 ferred form this type of shower is arranged to be extended somewhat below the ends of the wire rest closely above the shoulders and below the supports, thereby guarding against injury which head, so that the body may be bathed without might result if the ends of the wire were exwetting the hair, thereby obviating one importposed.

ant disadvantage of even the permanently in- Other objects of the present invention center 7 stalled type of shower. '1 ese shower rings, howabout the provision of such a shower which will ever, have also failed to achieve popularity bebe extremely compact and readily portable. One cause they suffer from numerous faults and dissuch object is to permit of the shower being readadvantages which it is a general object of the ily folded up or collapsed so as to occupy but lit- :33 present invention to remedy. tle space whether for travelling or for simply 80 One such fault is the constant tendency of the keeping the same in the home either in concealshower ring to tilt away from the horizontal, ment or suspended upon a hook or the like. this tendency being particularly caused by the With this object in view, we mount the support water supply pipe which ordinarily extends from means for the shower ring pivotally on the show- 59 the bath tub faucet or other nearby faucet and er ring, so that these means, specifically the is connected to the front part of the shower ring. aforesaid U-shaped supports, may be folded into It is a primary object of the present invention substantially the same plane as the shower ring. to overcome this tendency to tilt, and to insure till further objects of the present invention repositioning and maintenance of the shower ring side in the provision of appropriate means for 53 in the desired substantially horizontal position, pivotally mounting the support means on the a which in turn causes the shower of water to fall shower ring, and more particularly the provision entirely over the body in a substantially vertiof suitable stop means incorporated therewith cal stream. With this object in view we provide lor preventing outward movement of the suprelativelyrigid support means or support memport means more than a predetermined desired to bers depending from the ends of a preferably amount best suited for supporting the ring on elongated shower ring, which are adapted not the shoulders of the bather. only to rest upon the shoulders of the user but Shower rings of the general type here conalso to extend therebelow and to bear against sidered have heretofore proved exceedingly inthe breast and back of the body. Still another convenient in use by reason of the fact that the 45 object of the present invention is to arrange these body of the user is subjected to an abnormally supports for ready adjustability to accurately fit cold or hot temperature before the water supply the wearer, and for this purpose the supports can be adjusted or regulated to the desired temare preferably made of U-shaped pieces of relaperature. it is impossible to first adjust the tively stiff wire which, however, are bendable so water mixture and then put the shower ring so that the open ends may be spaced at the proper over the head, because then the important object dimension or, if preferred, may be spaced at a of preventing wetting of the hair will be deminimum dimension in which case they will feated. If the shower ring is placed over the yieldably or self-adjustably separate to accomhead and the water then adjusted, it is immodate and snugly bear against the upper part possible to back away from the shower until 55 of the body of the wearer. Still another object the temperatur is brought to the desired value,

as is commonly done with ordinary over-head showers. Accordingly, it is another and important object of our invention to overcome this difiiculty and to provide simple and inexpensive means permitting preliminary testing of the water temperature so that the mixture of hot and cold water may be regulated as desired, all prior to discharging the water from the shower ring itself.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as will hereinafter appear, our invention consists in the portable shower elements and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by a drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the portable shower in use;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the shower;

Fig. 3 is a partially sectioned vertical elevation of the shower taken in the plane of the line 3-3 in Fig. 4;

Fig. e is a detail section taken in the plane of the line l4 in Fig. 3, and extends through the stop portion of the hinge mechanism; and

Fig. 5 is a similar section taken through the pivot portion of the hinge section.

Referring to the drawing, the portable shower of our invention comprises a shower ring 12 to which there is connected a supply pipe 14 and on which there are mounted support means 16. As will be readily appreciated from an inspection of Fig. 1, the shower ring 12 is appropriately dimensioned to be passed over the head of the bather and supported upon the shoulders, and supplies a shower of water which falls in a vertical spray about the body without wetting the hair of the bather; and, as will subsequently be explained in greater detail, the support means 16 are so designed as to keep the shower ring 12 accurately and dependably in position, thereby defining the direction and location of the resulting spray with suificient accuracy to prevent splashing the floor with water, and to permit of the shower being taken without using a shower curtain or similar enclosure.

A preferred form of shower embodying features of our invention is illustrated in Figs. 2 through 5 of the drawing and will be described in greater detail by reference to the said figures. The shower ring 12 is preferably a hollow or tubular metallic ring which may be made rustproof as by the use of chromium plating or the like. A single continuous length of tubing is preferably employed, the ends 18 being bent around and joined together by a hose connection 20. The ring is preferably elongated and may take the form shown in Fig. 2, which essentially is an ellipse deformed by a flattening of the ends 22. The hose connection 20 is preferably located symmetrically between the ends of the ring, that is, at the center of the arcuate portion which in normal use will extend across the front of the body. The ribbed nozzle 24 or other appropriate form of hose connection is preferably directed downwardly, as is indicated in Fig. 1, to allow for the natural direction taken by the supply pipe 14. It will be understood that the lower inner surface of the shower ring is provided with a series of relatively closely spaced perforations through which the water is sprayed or showered. These perforations are not visible in Fig. 2, but are shown at 26 in Fig. 3.

The supports 16 are preferably U-shaped, the

closed part of the U being mounted on the end 20 of the shower ring, and the open ends 28 extending or depending downwardly from the show er ring for a substantial distance so as to bear against the breast and back of the bather, in order to support the shower ring against tilting. With a View to making possible a snug and accurate fit, the supports 16 may be made of a relatively stiff heavy-gauge wire, such as the wire as shown in Fig. 3, and this wire is bendable or adjustable so that the ends 28 may be spaced at a desired distance best suited to fit the bather. From another viewpoint, the natural resilience or elasticity of the wire 30 may be taken advantage of by making the spacing between the ends 28 a minimum and permitting the same to spread in a self-adjusting manner to accommodate the upper part of the body. In either case, the change resulting is evident from an examination of Fig. 3 showing one leg of the U-shaped member 16 moved between the solid line position 28 and the broken line position 28'.

In order to soften or cushion the contact of the wire support with the body, and at the same time to avoid an undesirable chilly metal contact, the depending legs of the wire 30 preferably have fitted over them sections of relatively soft rubber tubing 32. This rubber tubing preferably extends as nearly as possible entirely around the supports 16 and in the particular case here shown is interrupted only at the point of connection between the support member and the shower ring. The end 34 of each section of rubber sheathing 32 is preferably projected somewhat beyond the end of the wire 30, as is clearly evident in Fig. 3, thereby guarding against scratching or other bodily injury caused by the end of the wire.

The support member 16 may, of course, be mounted rigidly upon the shower ring, but in accordance with a further feature of the present invention these support means are more preferably pivotally mounted on the shower ring in order to permit the shower construction to be cclapsed or folded up into an exceedingly thin and compact form. Thus, an inspection of Fig. 2 shows how the support members 16 may be folded inwardly from the solid line positions 16 to the broken line positions 16, thereby bringing the support members 16 substantially into the plane of the shower ring 12, so that the entire shower is but little greater in thickness than the shower ring itself. This greatly enhances the portability of the shower, making it possible to carry the same in a valise or other luggage, and is of value even in the home because the shower may be concealed in a thin space, or hung out of the way upon any appropriate hook suspending the same flat against the wall. In use, the support means tend to fall outwardly to their desired position as the shower ring is passed over the head, and appropriate stop means are provided to prevent the pivoted members from opening outwardly more than a predetermined amount best suited for supporting the ring on the shoulders.

Specifically, we provide a hinge strap or sleeve 1 40 the body portion of which surrounds the shower ring and is secured thereto, as by solder applied through an appropriate opening 42. The end portions i i of one end of strap 40 are bent around to form pivotal or hinge supports for the bent downwardly, as is indicated at 50, to form cooperating stop means for limiting the permissible outward movement of the support members 16. To stiffen the depending stop lug 48, the opposite end of the strap 40 may also be shaped and bent downwardly to form an auxiliary stop lug 52, as is evident from an inspection of Fig. 4. It will be understood that when the shower is collapsed, the support members 16 move inwardly and at the same time the miniature U-shaped stop portions of the wire also move inwardly away from the stop lugs 48 and 52. When the support members are moved outwardly, however, in order to use the shower, the stop portions 50 of the wire also move outwardly into engagement with the stop lugs 48 and 52, thereby limiting the permissible outward movement of the support members. This permissible outward movement may also be adjusted, first, because of the bendability of the support members themselves; and secondly, because the stop lugs 48 and 52 may be forced outwardly, if desired.

Reverting now to Fig. l, the temperature testing mechanism comprises essentially a valved bypass or bleeder pipe connected at an intermediate point on the main supply pipe 14. More specifically, we employ a three-way or Y-shaped connection 62 to one branch of which a preferably short length of supply pipe 64 is conn cted; to another branch of which the main supply pipe 14. is connected; and to the third and preferably downwardly extending branch of which a short length of rubber tubing is connected, the latter acting as the bleeder pipe 60. This bleeder pipe is inexpensively valved by the provision of an ordinary pinch cock 660i conventional type. The inlet pipe 64 is preferably provided with a special fitting or end 68 particularly adapted to be slipped over and secured to a faucet here exemplified by the mixer faucet 70 having hot and cold water regulating valves 72, '74.

It will be readily understood that in use the shower ring is placed over the head and the pinch cock 66 is opened, whereupon the valves '72 and "34 may be opened and adjusted as desired until the water mixture, as tested by a stream of water issuing from the bleeder pipe 60, is brought to the desired comfortable temperature. The stop cook 66 is then closed, thereby forcing the water to rise upwardly through pipe 14 and to the shower ring. If the bather bends over too far when testing the water temperature, water may flow into the shower ring even though the bleed pipe 60 is open. To prevent this it is simply necessary to pinch the tube 14 when bending over in such a manner. If desired, however, an additional stop cook or pinch cock 76 may be applied to the tube 14 so that by closing the pinch cook 76 when opening the pinch cock 66 the water supply will be diverted in a positive and fool-proof manner through the bleed pipe 60.

The mode of constructing and using a preferred form of our portable shower, and the many advantages of the same will, it is beli ved, be apparent from the foregoing detailed description thereof. The shower is light, compact, and readily portable. Support means are provided which may be folded up into substantially the same plane as the shower ring, thereby reducing the entire shower to substantially only the bulk of the shower ring itself. The support means necessitate no straps, cords, or other tying device for locking the portable shower on the body of the wearer, and yet support the shower ring safely, securely, and accurately in position. The absence of straps, cords, and the like exposes the entire body of the wearer to the washing action of the shower and permits the body to be soaped without interference. Furthermore, straps, cord, or fabric members tend to become dirty and to deteriorate, and these disadvantages are all overcome in the eased the present shower.

The support members engage the body snugly and self-adjusting1y, and, if desired, may be inanually adjusted to accommodate a large difference in bodily dimension. This adj ustability, although obtained in an inexpensive manner by the use of bendable, relatively resilient wire, does not cause discomfort to the body, for metal contact is avoided and at the same time a soft cushioning surface is provided by protectively housing the support members in rubber tubing.

The temperature of the water may be regulated as desired and tested to insure comfort, all prior to admitting the water to the shower ring. This feature is, of course, of value in connection with any type of shower, but it is of particular value in connection with shower rings of the general type here considered.

It will be apparent that while we have shown and described our invention preferred form, many changes and modifi ations may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, defined the following claims.

We claim:

1: A portable shower comprising a tubular shower ring, a pair of relatively rigid suport means pivotally mounted on and depending from said shower ring and adapted to rest upon the shoulders of the user, and a hose connection mounted on communicating with the hollow interior of the shower ring.

2. A portable shower cor rising a tubular shower ring, a of relatively rigid support means depending from said shower ring and adapted to fit over the shoulders of the user and to bear against the breast and back of the user in order to support the same against tilting, and a hose connection mounted on and communicating with the hollow interior of the shower rin 3. A portable shower comprising a rigid tubular elongated shower ring, a pair of relatively rigid support means pivctally mounted on and depending from the of said shower ring and adapted to fit over the shoulders of the user and to bear against the breast and back of the user in order to support the ring against tilting, and a hose connection mounted on the front portion of said ring and commimicating with the thereof.

4. A portable shower comprising a tubular shower ring, a hose connection mounted on and communicating with the interior of said ring, and a pair of relatively rigid d-shapod support mer bore the closed ends of which are mounted on the ring and the open ends of which are adapted to be received over and extend substantially below the shoulders of the wearer in order to support the ring above the shoulders and to prevent tilting thereof.

5. A portable shower comprising a rigid tubular shower ring, a hose connection mounted on and communicating with the interior of ring,

and a pair of relatively rigid U-shaped support members the closed ends of which are pivoted to the ring and the open ends of which are adapted to be received over and extend substantially below the shoulders of the wearer in order to support the ring above the shoulders and to prevent hollow interior tilting thereof, the pivoting of said U-shaped support members permitting the same to fold or collapse into substantially the same plane as the ring.

6. A portable shower comprising a tubular shower ring, a hose connection mounted on and communicating with the interior of said ring, and a pair of support members pivoted to the ring and adapted to be received over the shoulders of the wearer, the pivoting of said support members permitting the same to fold or collapse into substantially the same plane as the ring, and cooperating means on said ring and support members preventing the latter from opening outwardly more than a predetermined desired amount best suited for supporting the ring on the shoulders.

'7. A portable shower comprising a rigid tubular shower ring, a hose connection mounted on and communicating with the interior of said ring, and a pair of relatively rigid U-shaped support members the closed ends of which are pivoted to the ring and the open ends of which are adapted to be received over and extend below the shoulders of the wearer in order to support the ring above the shoulders and to prevent tilting thereof, the pivoting of said U-shaped support members permitting the same to fold or collapse into substantially the same plane as the ring, and coopcrating means on said ring and support members preventing the latter from opening outwardly more than a predetermined desired amount best suited for supporting the ring on the shoulders.

8. A portable shower comprising a tubular metallic shower ring, a hose connection mounted thereon, a pair of generally U-shaped support members also mounted thereon, said support members being made of relatively stiff wire surrounded by rubber tubing.

9. A portable shower comprising a tubular metallic shower ring, a hose connection mounted at the front portion of the shower ring, a pair of generally U-shaped support members mounted on the shower ring, said support members being made of relatively stiff wire surrounded by rubber tubing, said U-shaped members being bendable so that they may be fitted to the person using the shower for an accurate fit adapted to prevent tilting of the shower ring.

10. A portable shower comprising a tubular shower ring in the form of an ellipse with flattened ends, a hose connection mounted at the front portion of the shower ring, a pair of generally U- shaped support members pivotally mounted on the flattened ends of the shower ring, said support members being made of relatively stiff wire surrounded by rubber tubing, the center portion of the wire being pivotally received by a bent strap or sleeve mounted on the ends of the shower ring and having stop means cooperating with the support members to prevent more than a predetermined outward movement thereof.

11. A portable shower comprising an elongated tubular shower ring, a hose connection mounted thereon, a pair of generally U-shaped support members pivotally mounted on the shower ring, said support members being made of relatively stiff wire, the center portion of the wire being pivotally received by a bent strap or sleeve mounted on the ends of the shower ring and having stop means cooperating with the support members to prevent more than a predetermined outward movement thereof.

12. A portable shower comprising a rigid tubular metallic shower ring in the form of an ellipse with flattened ends, a hose connection mounted at the front portion of the shower ring, a pair of generally U-shaped support members pivotally mounted on the flattened ends of the shower ring, said support members being made of relatively stiff wire surrounded by rubber tubing, the center portion of the wire being pivotally received by a bent strap or sleeve mounted on the ends of the shower ring and having stop means cooperating with the support members to prevent more than a predetermined outward movement thereof, said U-shaped members being bendable I so that they may be fitted to the person using the shower with an accurate fit adapted to prevent tilting of the shower ring.

13. In combination, a portable shower comprising a shower ring, a supply pipe leading to said shower ring and adapted to be connected to a mixer faucet, and a bleed pipe connected to said supply pipe and provided with valve means to open or close the bleed pipe, in order to permit testing of the temperature of the water flowing into the supply pipe before discharging the same from the shower ring.

14. A portable shower comprising a shower ring, a flexible supply pipe connected at one end to said shower ring, a three-way or Y-shaped connection the arms of which are connected in series with the aforesaid supply pipe and the third branch or leg of which has connected thereto a short length of flexible rubber hose acting as a bleed pipe, said bleed pipe being provided with stop means to prevent water discharge therefrom.

15. A portable shower comprising a shower ring, a flexible supply pipe connected at one end to said shower ring and provided with a connection adapted to be fitted to a relatively low faucet or mixer valve, as on a bath tub, at its other end, a three-way or Y-shaped connection the arms of which are connected in series with the aforesaid supply pipe at a point near the faucet and the third branch or leg of which has connected thereto a short length of flexible rubber hose acting as a bleed pipe, said bleed pipe being provided with a pinch cock.

CHARLES HARDY. LOUIS BADY. 

